Today MotoCzysz is announcing its Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve (eDD), better known to us as “the suitcase”, which is essentially the housing for the E1pc’s proprietary controller, motor, and batteries. MotoCzysz will be using the eDD on their 2010 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, and intends on letting other teams use the suitcase as well, helping fill the grid at electric motorcycle races.

This announcement is important on a variety of levels, and most electric motorcycling enthusiasts will be interested to get their first glimpse at technology beind Michael Czysz’s 2010 E1pc D1g1tal Superbike, which will for sure be at the TT Zero race at the Isle of Man this year. The suitcase contains MotoCzysz proprietary battery, motor, and controller designs, which are setting the bar higher in electric motorcycle racing.

Despite being buried behind a thinly veiled dramatic buildup, this announcement is much more important than just the release of a new motorcycle design, the musings about race in the Isle of Man, the competition with Mavizen for privateer sales, or the battle for electric racing supremacy against Team Agni.

Instead this announcement has everything to do with why electric motorcycles are changing this industry, and the way this industry does business.

If you ask most motorcyclists (motorcycling journalists included) what kind of company MotoCzysz is, the answer will almost universally be, “a motorcycle manufacturer.” So it shouldn’t be surprising that the coverage of MotoCzysz and this announcement is slated as such: pitting the E1pc against the the Agni bike as the bike to beat on the race track, or surmising that the eDD is a watered down version of the TTXGP’s Mavizen TTX02 racing platform, sans the forks, swingarm, etc.

However MotoCzysz isn’t a motorcycle manufacturer, and MotoCzysz arguably isn’t even a motorcycle company. They’re an intellectual property (IP) company that caters to the motorcycle industry, and this announcement isn’t about a race, a team, or a bike. It’s about the evolution complete redefinition of a motorcycle.

MotoCzysz’s suitcase is comprised of a new motor design, not yet seen in motorcycling, and not available off the shelf to assemblers and privateers. The suitcase is comprised of the only hot-swappable batteries seen to date on an electric motorcycle, and in their final form factor the battery packs are narrower than the already slender MotoCzysz C1. Lastly, the suitcase is comprised of a proprietary controller that brings all the technology into one unit, with 90+% system efficiency.

All of this is well and good, and will fill many articles soon to come. However, the real importance of MotoCzysz’s latest announcement is the fact that it shows the realization of modular motorcycle design. What makes the MotoCzysz eDD such an important development for electric racing for the masses, is what Michael Czysz calls the eMoto2 solution.

“In the next 12 months or so no small team is going to be to keep up with the major teams or factories,” Michael Czysz told us. “The best thing for this sport was to create a Moto2 solution.” Czysz refers to growing disparity amongst the teams entering into electric motorcycle racing events. With hobbyists and privateers using off-the-shelf solutions (including the bikes available from Mavizen and CRP Racing, which themselves are constructed from publicly available parts), the inability to innovate off the currently available systems leaves these smaller racers behind the proverbial dust.

Outside of electric motorcycle producers, “there was no natural evolution in the current technology for electric motorcycles,” explains Czysz. As such, MotoCzysz sees an opportunity for companies to offer a more sophisticated and efficient machine than what’s being currently offered, and since there is a limited number of companies capable of producing a truly integrated solution that is better that what can be made in a home garage, MotoCzysz’s positions is fairly strong.

Like the 600cc prototype Moto2 class, which features a single spec Honda motor, the eDD removes the need for racing teams to develop the hardware and software for a competitive electric motorcycle package, a new task that is outside the core-competencies of these teams, and instead places the challenge of racing an electric motorcycle into a skill-set that teams already have experience with, namely chassis development.

The eDD allows a race team to use the swingarm and front-end off of virtually any liter bike motorcycle. In essence the eDD is creating a platform that race teams can adapt and modify to their specifications, and it not only takes some of the guess work out of racing with electric motorcycles, but it also proves the concept that a central core, what I called “the nugget” two years ago and Czysz calls “the suitcase” today, can be created and used in a variety of situations. The MotoCzysz eDD is the next step in true motorcycle platforms. It carries over from the race track, it carries over from the street, and it carries on into virtually limitless possibilities in transportation

For now, the first iteration is a race offering available for teams that starts at $24,500 for a battery-less platform, and $42,500 for 10kwh of hot-swappable power on-board. The first 10 teams to purchase an eDD solution from MotoCzysz can take $10,000 off the price, in the form of a corporate sponsorship. In the future it can mean the rapid development of on and off-road vehicles that are built with time and cost-saving manufacturing techniques.

Find the MotoCzysz Press Release below:

MotoCzysz Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve SystemMotoCzysz announces the most integrated electric drive available. The first product from a family of integrated drives being developed by MotoCzysz is designed and engineered specifically for high performance electric motorcycles. The eDD system integrates advanced technologies with new proprietary industry first solutions. For individuals, teams and companies interested in building a high performance electric motorcycle, the new MotoCzysz D1g1tal Dr1ve system is the most advanced integrated electric drive system available.

MotoCzysz offers the eMoto2 solution: MotoCzysz power, your imagination Class leading, electric drive systems are rapidly moving beyond the resources available to individuals and small teams, but the vision and ability to build a next generation e motorcycle has not. With the MotoCzysz eDD system an individual or team can use their imagination and build a highly competitive proprietary race bike or utilize parts from a donor bike to build the electric motorcycle of their dreams.

Motor The MotoCzysz LQ (liquid cooled) IPM (internal permanent magnet) 75kW/100hp electric motor is one of the highest torque/density motors in the industry (250+ft/lbs/340+Nm continuous 77lbs/35kg). The IPM solution generates more torque while being more efficient than any comparably sized AC induction motor. The MotoCzysz patent pending cooling system elevates the motor’s nominal power output closer to the motor’s peak power output. The MotoCzysz motor can deliver a continuous 75kW (100hp) and is 93% efficient under continuous heavy load (140C). The motor is available to accommodate either right or left hand chain drive.

ControllerThe MotoCzysz LQ 240V 85kW Controller is specifically optimized for the motor, in both function and packaging. Accepting 240V and 350+ amps the sealed Controller contains ALL the high voltage components and plugs directly into the motor, resulting in a nearly completely wireless (high voltage) system. The Controller receives battery motor and rider command data and adjusts current accordingly. The Controller software has multiple embedded maps for setting or customizing functions like torque contouring and overall power settings.

Batteries, ESS MotoCzysz is currently the only EV manufacturer utilizing a functioning ‘hot swap’ battery solution and the MotoCzysz eDD system incorporates the latest generation. The new D1g1tal battery pack utilizes high density, high discharge LiPo (Lithium Polymer) cells. Each pack is embedded with monitoring capability that sends vital data wirelessly via IR (infrared) to a DVMS (d1g1tal Vehicle Management System) and ultimately to the Controller. Additionally, each battery pack houses an LED display that indicates the overall pack as well as individual cell group data.

Each MotoCzysz (patent pending) D1g1tal Battery pack weighs less than 18lbs and effortlessly “snaps” into the “suitcase” chassis. The “suitcase” holds 8 battery packs for a total ESS (energy storage system) of 10kWh.

ChassisMotoCzysz has designed the “suitcase” chassis to optimize the ESS mass location and vehicle’s overall on board energy density. The chassis accommodates virtually any modern double sided swingarm from a 1,000cc motorcycle. The suitcase also ships with a matching top plate for the mounting/fabrication of a new or existing front end.

Fill the Grid In an effort to support and assist electric racing around the world, MotoCzysz and their partners have developed the “Fill the Grid” program. The first 15 teams to purchase an eDD systems for competition will receive a $10,000 MotoCzysz sponsorship. The sponsorship reduces the cost of the complete eDD system to $32,500. We believe in and support electric solutions as a way to preserve what is very important to us-RACING. Be a MotoCzysz factory supported team and Fill the Grid.

RT @Asphalt_Rubber: MotoCzysz Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve: More Than Just a Glimpse.. http://bit.ly/avHICs <I'd love to take a lap on this!

Dr. Gellar

Wow! That is pretty slick. Can’t wait to see the new 2010 E1pc in it’s entirety once it is ready to go.

More and more…MotoCzysz continues to impress me. I’d love nothing more than to see this new platform prove a success for them. Would be even more amazing if they become successful in the electric racing niche, and find a why to tackle MotoGP in 2012 as well, if that is still in the cards.

Great write up, Jensen. Unfortunately, the first time I saw it and read it was on an aggregator (sablogzone.com) that saved your attribution for the very end. Well, at least I clicked on the source… which for some strange reason was listed as “TheCafeRacers” but landed me here.

Now the pictures make this system look like a stressed member of the bike. I would like to see it without the batteries attached. Czysz must have incorporated the “backbone” from the e1pc in that battery holding structure.

I assume many people will want to hang the eDD off a rolling chassis like a GSXR for example. Wonder if that is possible and what the resulting weight would be.

Are 10kWh the maximum energy that can stored in the bike? 10kWh/75kW=0,133h=8min. for maximum power.

Where is this bike built for? A new sprint racing series? That is not enough energy or IOM or FIM E-Power races.

Ralph

Wicked suitcase!

I thought MotoCzysz was near death… after the failed MOTOGP entry.

e1pc work from the ‘brand’ nonetheless.

rob

Christian, if you tried to ride full power all the time, battery capacity would be the least of your worries! :) I do agree though that for the IOM, (and depending heavily on aero drag), to break the 100mph lap you’re gonna be looking at nearer 20 than 10kWh, bit less with a gearbox maybe!

@skadamo: I saw the suitcase a couple weeks ago, the back bone structure is very similar (visually) to the 2009 E1pc (should have a piece on that soon), but has been built with mass production in mind. The quick release system is different, and very slick to operate. I’d equate it to changing out/in a SSD card on my Nikon dSLR.

@Christian: 8 minutes a full power yes. Remember though, the Brammo TTR had 8kWh on-board for IOM last year. Honestly though, I think the eDD is aimed at TTXGP and e-Power entrants.

RT @skadamo: RT @Asphalt_Rubber: MotoCzysz Electric D1g1tal Dr1ve: More Than Just a Glimpse into the 2010 E1pc Superbike http://bit.ly/avHICs #motorcycle

Jason67

What bugs me the most about Czysz is his constant attempts to piggy back his marketing efforts off of MotoGP. Yeah it’s smart but it’s also pretty lame. A much hyped MotoGP bike that never raced. Now a Moto2 copycat. I can appreciate the concept just hate his marketing attempts to make people think it’s associated with MotoGP in some form when it isn’t. Moto2 isn’t the first spec part (be it engine or otherwise) series in racing. He could have called it anything else but yeah this was he normal self promoting none delivering self at it again

@asphalt_rubber shows the new MotoCzysz battery pack: http://bit.ly/cG3Am8 . This solves the "line-up problem" of all electrics w/ fast-swap

Rob

MotoCzysz claims 75 kW with a weight of 35 kg and 93% efficiency. Their power/weight is 2.1 kW/kg. An F1 KERS motor puts out 60 kW continuous and weighs 5.5 kg, at 96 % efficiency, with a power/weight of 11kW/kg. The three F1 KERS motors from Marelli, Bosch and MTS all have similar performance. This power density is nothing new, it has been around in permanent magnet brushless motors for a couple of years now. MotoCzysz are a factor of 5 off in terms of true cutting edge electric motor performance and they don’t even know it! Same story as with the “American Pretender”, the world’s most needlessly complicated motorcycle, a lot of hype and no real performance. When will the journalists catch on instead of just repeating all this self-grandizing baloney?